CrIS

Roadmap to Capabilities

CROSS TRACK INFRARED SOUNDER (CRIS) FOR SUOMI NPP AND JPSS

The Exelis Cross-track Infrared Sounder (CrIS) is the first in a series of advanced operational sounders that will provide more accurate, detailed atmospheric temperature and moisture observations for weather and climate applications.

The CrIS instrument will significantly improve weather forecasting and climate prediction. CrIS will measure a vertical distribution of temperature, moisture, and pressure in the atmosphere. It will help both short-term weather "nowcasting" and long-term forecasting. The infrared sensors provide high-resolution data that will even assist in understanding El Niño and other major climate shifts.

On October 28, 2011, the CrIS instrument was launched on-board the next-generation U.S. climate and weather monitoring system, part of the Suomi National Polar-orbiting Partnership (NPP) mission. The Suomi NPP mission is a bridge between NASA's Earth Observing System satellites to the next-generation Joint Polar Satellite System, or JPSS, a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) program.